U.K. Defense Secretary Resigns Over Defense Funding Shortfall

British Defense Secretary John Healey resigned from Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government on Thursday, citing a lack of funding for national defense. In a resignation letter posted on X, Healey stated that his warnings about resources had gone unheeded. He wrote that the Treasury had been unwilling to commit the resources needed at a time of rising threats.

Healey listed increased U.K. commitments, including leading the Strait of Hormuz military mission, leading NATO's Arctic Security mission, and planning a British presence in Ukraine after any ceasefire. He said the new Defense Investment Plan, seen on Monday, fell short of what these responsibilities require.

The letter noted that without adequate funding, decisions would reduce the readiness of U.K. forces and increase risk to personnel on operations.

Healey opened the letter by acknowledging defense spending increases, new agreements with European allies, NATO support, and soldier pay raises under Starmer. He stated that Starmer had earned wide respect at home and abroad for these steps. The remainder of the letter focused on the gap between commitments and resources.

Healey said he had explained he could not accept a settlement that failed to meet force requirements and therefore submitted his resignation.